ALMOST 100 hectares have been set aside for future sport and recreation at Bli Bli with 97 hectares at Godfreys Avenue purchased by Sunshine Coast Council, which will provide added opportunities to the existing network of council-owned and managed sport and recreation spaces.
Sunshine Coast Council Division 9 and Environment and Liveability Portfolio Councillor Maria Suarez said the properties, located just north of the Maroochy River, would help council maintain the rate of four hectares of sport and recreation land per 1000 residents within the local government area.
“It will also ensure public open space is distributed equitably throughout the Sunshine Coast local government area, so everyone has access,” Cr Suarez said.
“Sport and recreation spaces are fundamental to our region’s future and this purchase demonstrates council’s commitment to proactively plan and deliver long-term projects which protect our region’s environment and liveability, and provide the active, healthy lifestyle we all value.
“This strategic acquisition takes a long-term view as to what our community will need in respect to providing sport and recreation facilities as the population grows.
“It will be a number of years before residents will see facilities coming out of the ground and there remains a great deal of planning and funding to be sought before this project officially commences.
“Open spaces also help council mitigate the impacts of climate change by contributing to managing floodwaters in extreme weather events.
“These lands, located within the Blue Heart, build on the important work already done in the area and will contribute to the environmental, social and economic co-benefits the project seeks to achieve.”
The Blue Heart is an area of more than 5000 hectares on a natural floodplain in the Maroochy River catchment and includes approximately 1400 hectares of public land.
In addition to the recently purchased Godfreys Avenue land, it also includes Council’s Coolum Creek Environment Reserve network, the Queensland Government’s Coolum Creek Conservation Park, and Unitywater’s Yandina Creek Wetland.
Cr Suarez said a key objective for the Blue Heart included protecting the Maroochy River floodplain as a flood storage area.
“It also seeks to provide opportunities for sport and recreation parks and sports grounds for the community to enjoy,” Cr Suarez said.
“This purchase aligns with the Sunshine Coast Community Strategy 2019-2041 which aims to empower our community to live healthy and active lifestyles.
“It’s through integrated, strategic planning and innovative projects that council will realise our vision for the Sunshine Coast: Australia’s most sustainable region – Healthy. Smart. Creative.”
To find out more about Blue Heart, visit Council’s website: sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au/blueheart.
The Bli Bli land was purchased in line with Council’s Local Government Infrastructure Plan, with a significant financial contribution made by developers by way of Infrastructure Charges, to provide for major recreation parks and sports grounds.